The O'Fallon police have reported that "Pokemon Go" players are in danger as armed robbers are targeting them. The authorities believe that the robbers use the popular mobile game to add a beacon to a certain location to lure the unaware users.
The authorities in O'Fallon, Missouri recently posted on Facebook that they responded to a report of an armed robbery near the intersection of Highway K and Feise Road. It was fortunate that they were able to locate four suspects. They used a black BMW for transport and were carrying a handgun that the police recovered at the scene.
According to Gizmodo, the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has charged the three of the suspects with Robbery in the First Degree and Armed Criminal. They were all referred as adults, even though one of them is 17 years old. The charged criminals are Shane Michael Backer, Brett William Miller, and Jamine James D. Warner.
The suspects in question were also wanted for multiple holdups in two counties northwest of the city, which are St. Louis and St. Charles County. It was also suspected that they also used the mobile gaming app in those robberies too.
The armed robbers used the mobile app's feature that lets them add a beacon to a pokestop to lure more players. This feature lets them track down the users who are standing around in the middle of a parking lot or whatever area they want them to be. The unaware Pokemon fans will be walking towards a trap that they have set up.
Sgt. Robert Kendall told CNET in a statement that they felt that it was important to keep their residents safe from harm. They reported what they knew on their social media account to remind them to be more careful, and be wary of their surroundings. The sergeant did not reveal how the police force found out of the method that the armed robbers used.
The police advised the Pokemon fans that they use the popular mobile app or similar ones, to be careful when they alert strangers on the location. If they have children that play the game, they should be accompanied at all times. It is also advisable to not leave the house in the evenings and wander around in the dark, while playing the mobile game.
Check out the mobile game's second trailer vdieo below: